Ditching-machine.



E. JESCHKE.

DITCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FYILED NOV. 25, 1914.

1,17%,986. Patented Mar. 14,1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

E. JESCHKE.

DITCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1914.

Patented Mar. 14,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Illlrl wibneooeo E. JESCHKE,

DITCHiNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1914.

1,174,986. Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

3 SHEETS -SHEET 3.

EDWARD JESCHKE, OF BELLEVUE, OHIO.

mzrcnme-mAcnmn.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

Application filed November 25, 1914. Serial No. 873,976.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD Jnsonxn, a

' citizen of the United States, residing at Bellevue, in the county ofHuron and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Ditching-Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to machines for digging ditches or trenches and hasparticular reference to improvements in such a machine, shown anddescribed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,048,014, grantedto Frederick J. Wertelewski, under date of December 24th, 1912.

An important object of the invention is to provide means for renderingmore convenient the vertical adjustment of the frame of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for improving thesteering of the machine during its longitudinal travel.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved meansfor connecting the excavator with the frame, to strengthen the same. I

A further object of the invention is to provide means which will removethe soil from proximity to both sides of the ditch or trench being dug,in a highly efficient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide self-adjusting means forpreventing the body portion of the machine from tilting laterally,during its longitudinal travel.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable grading orleveling device, to be carried by the machine.

A further object of the invention is to improve the construction of themachine in general, with a view of rendering the same more efiicient inoperation, and convenient in use.

Other objects and advantagesof the invention will be apparent during thecourse of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention,Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentarydetail section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a transversesectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, parts being omitted, Fig. 5

is a transverse sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is asimilar view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a transverse sectiontaken on line 77 of Fig. 2, parts so being omitted, and, Fig. 8 is asimilar View,

taken on line 88 of Fig. 2. In the drawings, wherein for the purpose ofillustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, thenumeral 10 designates an inclined longitudinal beam extending downwardlytoward its forward end. Connected with the forward end of the beam 10 isa guide-frame 11, having a rear beam receiving portion 12 formedU-shaped in cross-section, as more clearly shown in Fig.

8. This portion 12 is rigidly connected to the beam 10 by means of bolts13 or the like. The guide-frame 11 (see Fig. 5) has a verticaltransverse opening 14, receiving a vertically movable or reciprocatoryrack-bar 15, preferably formed square in cross-section,

as shown in Fig. 2. This rack-bar is provided upon its rear side withgear-teeth 16 for a purpose to be explained. The rackbar 15 is providedwith an axially extending cylindrical opening 17 (see Fig. 5), receivinga vertical stub-shaft 18, to the lower end of which is rigidly attacheda fork 19. This fork receives a forward supporting-wheel g 20, rotatablyconnected therewith by means of an axle 21 or the like. Attached to therear portion of the upper end of the fork 19 is a scraper 22, extendingdownwardly in proximity tothe ground-wheel 20, to slid- 9 ably engagethe same and remove therefrom the dirt or the like accumulating thereon.

The numeral 23 designates a tongue, "the rear end of which is rigidlyconnected with spaced strips 24, arranged upon opposite g5 sides of thefork 19 and pivoted therewith to be swung in a vertical plane, by meansof bolts 25 or the like. Disposed above the tongue 23 is aclevis 26,rigidly secured to the forward end of the guide-frame 11, as 10 shown.The draft appliance, (not shown) is secured to the clevis 26 and theforward end of the tongue 23 is connected with the collars of the horsesor draft animals by the usual means, there being preferably two draftanimals employed in operating the machine. It is thus seen that theforward supporting wheel 20 is free to be swung laterally during thetravel thereof, thus making the steering of the machine easier.

The numeral 27, (see Figs. 1 and 3) designates 9. preferably metallicL-shaped depending beam extension, rigidly secured to the rear end ofthe beam 10, the same embodying an upper socket 28 (see Fig. 4), formedU-shaped in' cross-section, to receive the rear end of the beam 10, thebeam being held therein by means of a bolt 29 or the like, as shown.Rigidly connected with the horizontal arm of the L-shaped beam extension27 is a fork 30, having a rear supporting-wheel 31, rotatable thereinand connected therewith by an axle 32 or the like. A scraper 33 has itsupper end attached to the upper end of the fork 30 and extendsdownwardly and rearwardly of the supportingwheel 31 to slidably engagetherewith to move the dirt and the like therefrom.

Connected with the horizontal arm of the L-shaped bean extension 27 is asuitably stiff seat-spring 34, to the upper end of whiclf is attached aseat 35, as shown.

In the Patent No. 1,048,014, is shown plow handles attached to the rearend of the frame of the machine, so that an operator:

could walk behind the machine and by means of these handles prevent thebody portion of the machine from tilting laterticularly if the machineis constructed of a good size, and when the draft animals pull suddenlyor unevenly. Besides from this disadvantage, it is obvious that thepresence of an additional operator is required.

In the present improved construction, I have provided self-adjustingmeans for preventing the tilting of the body portion of the machinelaterally, but allowing the same to move vertically when desired. Suchmeans comprise a crank-axle 36, arranged near and above the rear end ofthe longitudinal beam 10. This crank axle has its central portionjournaled through a bearing 37. rigidly attached to the beam 10 by meansof bolts 38 or the like. A sleeve 39 is rigidly secured to the crankaxle and engages one end of the bearing 37, while a crank or arm 40 isrigidly secured to the crank-axle and engages the opposite end of thebearing, thus preventing perceptible longitudinal movement of, thecrank-axle with relation to the bearing but allowing the same to freelyturn. At its opposite ends, the crankaxle 36 carries depending cranks orextensions 41. provided with horizontal portions 42. having sidebalancing-wheels 43 rotatable thereon. Attached to the outer end of thecrank 40 is a suitably stiff retractile coil spring 44, the lower end ofwhich is connected with a bracket 45. (see Fig. 3) attached to the upperend of the beam extension 27. The function of this spring and associatedelements is to oppose the rearward swinging movement of the cranks 41 ofthe crank-axle 36, thus preventing the body portion of the machine fromtilting laterally, but allowing of the vertical movement of the beam 10and associated elements with respect to the wheels 43, whereby thesupportingkwheels 20 and 31 may travel in proper engagement with thebottom of the ditch being dug, which varies in depth according to thenumber of times that the machine is driven over or through the sameditch, the wheels 43 traveling upon theupper surface'of the ground atpoints spaced from the ditch. As considerable strain is placed upon thecrank-axle, it is advantageous to provide diagonal braces46, (see Fig.2) the rear ends of which are apertured to rotatably receive thecrank-axle 36 and engage the rings 47 rigidly secured to the crank-axleand arranged inwardly of and adjacent the apertured ends of the diagonalbraces 46. The forward ends of these diagonal braces are rigidlyconnected with j the longitudinal beam 10 by 48 or the like.

Rigidly attached to the diagonal braces means of a bolt 46 are auxiliarydiagonal braces 49, extending forwardly and passed through the aperturedhead 50 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 6) of an upstanding j/criangular bracket 51,which is rigidly mounted upon the beam 10, and attached thereto by bolts52. The forward ends of the auxiliary brace rods 49 are screw-threadedfor receiving nuts 53 or the like, as shown.

The means to raise and lower the'rackbar 15, comprises a pinion or gear57 (see Fizs. 1 and 2), carried by a shaft 58, journaled throughupstanding portions of the guide-frame 11, as shown. Arranged exteriorlyof the guide-frame and rigidly connected with the shaft 58 is a wormwheel 59, engaging a worm 60, carried by a longitudinally extendingoperating shaft 61. This operatin shaft has its forward portion journalethrough apertured ears or members 62, rigidlyattached to the guideframeby any suitable'means. The rear portion of the operating shaft 61 isjournaled through an apertured arm or bracket 62. the lower end of whichis rigidly attached to the upper end of the beam extension 27, as shown.Rigidly connected with the rear end of the operating shaft 61 is a handwheel 63, arranged in convenient reach of the operator upon the seat 35,as shown.

The numeral 64 designates an elongated substantially U-shaped cutter orexcavator (see Fig. 6), the forward edge of which is suitably sharpened.Y The upper ends of the cutter 64 are arranged upon and engage theopposite ends of a transverse tubular attaching-member 65, and arerigidly securedformed U-shaped in cross-section, receiving the beam 10,and rigidly attached thereto by bolts 68 or the like. Arranged below andextending longitudinally of the beam 10 is a conveyer or lifter 69,preferably in the form of an elongated plate, the same having itsforward end connected with the lower end of the excavator, the uppersurface of the conveyer being flush with the corresponding surface ofthe lower end of the excavator, as shown. The conveyer 0r lifter islongitudinally inclined and its upper end is rigidly attached to theupper portion of the vertical arm of the beam extension 27, as shown.The conveyer is also laterally inclined, to discharge the dirt away fromthe land-side, or in other words, the land-side edge of the conveyer isarranged above its mold-board edge.

Arranged upon opposite sides of the conveyer 69 are independentlyvertically movable mold-boards 70 and 71, adapted to move the dirt fromproximity to the ditch, when passing off of the conveyer. In the patentthe mold-board and the land-side as they are termed therein were rigidlyconnected whereby they move together. I have found it advantageous tohave two mold-boards extending in opposite directions and beingindependently vertically movable. As a rule, very little dirt falls uponthe mold board 71, whereby it need not be vertically adjusted asfrequently as the mold-board 70, whereby it is advantageous that thesemembers should move independently of each other, as above stated. Themold-boards 70 and 71 (see Fig. 7), are provided with apertured ears orknuckles 72, mounted to slide upon guide rods 73, attached to the lowerside of the conveyer 69 in spaced relation thereto. These elements arefurther provided with guide arms 74, rigidly attached thereto, the innerends of which are apertured to slidably receive auxiliary guide rods 75,the forward ends of which extend into apertured ears 7 6 of a bracket77, which is rigidly attached to the lower side of the conveyer 69. Therear ends of the auxiliary guide rods 75 are rigidly attached to thelower end of the vertical arm of the L- shaped beam extension 27, bymeans of bolts 78 or the like. The mold-board 70 is preferably providedwith a rearwardly extending arm 79, to which is attached a retractilecoil spring 80, connected with one of the diagonal braces 46. Thefunction of this spring is to aid in returning the mold-board 70 to thelower position, the same tending to gravitate to such position. I havefound it unnecessary to provide the mold-board 71 with a spring forreturning the same to the lower position, as the same operatessatisfactorily by gravity, while it is to be understood that a springmay be employed if desired.

- The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The operator ispositioned upon the seat 35, and may conveniently turn the hand wheel 63to raise and lower the forward end of the beam 10, while the machine isbeing drawn forwardly by the horses or other means. The excavator orcutter 64 engages with the ground, cutting the ditch or trench. The dirttravels rearwardly upon the conveyer or lifter 69, and the greaterportion of the dirt is deflected to the right upon the mold-board 70,which removes the same from proximity to the cutter and the ditch. Someof the dirt however falls from the upper opposite edge of the conveyerand is removed from proximity to the same by the mold-board 71. Themold-boards are capable of moving vertically with respect to theconveyer and are self-adjusting, the same being further elevated as thedepth of the trench or ditch increases. The crankaxle 36 and wheels 43prevent the lateral tilting of the body portion of the machine, the samehowever allowing the rear end of the beam to move downwardly, withrespect to the wheels 43, as the depth of the ditch increases, while thesupporting wheels 20 and 21 carry substantially all the weight of themachine.

It is obvious that the ditch may be dug in various depths, dependingupon the number of times that the machine is driven over or through thesame.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a machine for diggingditches or trenches; a longitudinal support; supporting wheels connectedwith the support near its ends; a ground treating implement connectedwith the support between the supporting Wheels and depending from thesupport; and self-adjusting means for preventing the lateral tilting ofthe longitudinal support, comprising a crank-axle extending transverselyof the longitudinal support and permanently freely pivotally connectedtherewith and having cranks arranged upon the opposite sides of thelongitudinal support, balancing wheels carried by the cranks, andyielding means to oppose the turning movement of the crank-axle in onedirection.

2. In a machine for digging ditches or trenches; a longitudinal support;a ground treating implement connected with the support; supportingwheels connected with the ends of the longitudinal support; means forraising and lowering the forward end of the longitudinal support withrelation to the adjacent supporting wheel embodying a manually movedelement arranged near the rear end of the longitudinal support; anoperators seat carried by the rear end of the longitudinal support anddisposed near the manually moved element; and self-adjusting means toprevent lateral tilting of the longitudinal support, comprising atransverse crank-axle permanently freely pivotally connected with therear end of the longitudinal support and having cranks disposed upon theopposite sides of the longitudinal support, balancing wheels carried bythe cranks, an arm rigidly connected with the crank axle, and a springconnected with the arm and a portion of the longitudinal support.

3. In a machine for digging ditches or trenches; a longitudinal support;supporting wheels connected with the longitudinal support near its endsand normally arranged in approximately the longitudinal axis of suchsupport; cranks permanently freely ing means to oppose the movement ofthe cranks in one direction; and a ground treating implement connectedwith the longitudinal support.

4. In a machine for digging ditches or trenches, a wheeled support,ditch diggin means carried thereby, a conveyer arrange rearwardly of theditch digging means to receive dirt therefrom, and laterally extendingindependently vertically movable mold boards arranged near and uponopposite sides of the conveyer.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD JESCHKE. lVitnesses:

THOMAS MCSHEEHY, JAMES G. HUNT.

